Enes Kanter could soon be a free agent.
The Knicks are expected to discuss a buyout with the 26-year-old center, according to a report from ESPN, which cites unidentified league sources. The team has been unable to find a deal to move Kanter, the report says.
As the Knicks run out of time to find a trade for center Enes Kanter and his $18.6M expiring deal, discussions on a contract buyout are expected to begin as soon as the deadline passes on Thursday at 3 PM ET, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2019
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Kanter’s averaging 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds in 44 games this season. He has been unhappy about his reduced role with the Knicks.
“We’re competitors and I want to go out there and play basketball and I understand now the situation with the Knicks, it’s tough,” Kanter said in late January, via NorthJersey.com. “Because they’re trying to give the young guys a lot of minutes and get them better.
“But … it’s not like I’m 32, 33 years old. I’m 26 years old and I want to go out there and compete and play basketball."
New York acquired Kanter from the Thunder as part of the Carmelo Anthony trade in September 2017. He has also played for the Jazz during his eight-year career.
The Knicks have been one of the worst teams in the NBA this season and will enter their matchup Friday against the Pistons with a 10-43 record. They’ve lost their last 14 games.
